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About Glittering Images

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The first in Susan Howatch’s acclaimed novels centering on the glorious Cathedral of Starbridge, Glittering Images is a masterful depiction of spiritual hubris, the seductions of power, and the moral dilemmas of England between the wars.

It is the 1930s, and Charles Ashworth is dispatched by the Archbishop of Canterbury to learn the truth about the flamboyant Bishop of Starbridge, Adam Alexander Jardine, and his mousy wife. Do Jardine’s outspoken denouncements of the Anglican Church’s strict divorce laws have a personal motive? When he meets the cool and beautiful Lyle Christie, Mrs. Jardine’s companion, Ashworth believes they do. But as he struggles to understand the strange relationships in the household, Ashworth ceases to be an innocent, objective observer. Slowly, he too is drawn into the secret drama that is being played out in the shadow of the cathedral, a drama that he could never have foreseen.

“She may well be the Anthony Trollope of the 20th century.”—Andrew Greeley, The Washington Post

“Bold and exciting.”—Los Angeles Times

About Glittering Images

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The first in Susan Howatch’s acclaimed novels centering on the glorious Cathedral of Starbridge, Glittering Images is a masterful depiction of spiritual hubris, the seductions of power, and the moral dilemmas of England between the wars.

It is the 1930s, and Charles Ashworth is dispatched by the Archbishop of Canterbury to learn the truth about the flamboyant Bishop of Starbridge, Adam Alexander Jardine, and his mousy wife. Do Jardine’s outspoken denouncements of the Anglican Church’s strict divorce laws have a personal motive? When he meets the cool and beautiful Lyle Christie, Mrs. Jardine’s companion, Ashworth believes they do. But as he struggles to understand the strange relationships in the household, Ashworth ceases to be an innocent, objective observer. Slowly, he too is drawn into the secret drama that is being played out in the shadow of the cathedral, a drama that he could never have foreseen.

“She may well be the Anthony Trollope of the 20th century.”—Andrew Greeley, The Washington Post

“Bold and exciting.”—Los Angeles Times

About Glittering Images

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The first in Susan Howatch’s acclaimed novels centering on the glorious Cathedral of Starbridge, Glittering Images is a masterful depiction of spiritual hubris, the seductions of power, and the moral dilemmas of England between the wars.

It is the 1930s, and Charles Ashworth is dispatched by the Archbishop of Canterbury to learn the truth about the flamboyant Bishop of Starbridge, Adam Alexander Jardine, and his mousy wife. Do Jardine’s outspoken denouncements of the Anglican Church’s strict divorce laws have a personal motive? When he meets the cool and beautiful Lyle Christie, Mrs. Jardine’s companion, Ashworth believes they do. But as he struggles to understand the strange relationships in the household, Ashworth ceases to be an innocent, objective observer. Slowly, he too is drawn into the secret drama that is being played out in the shadow of the cathedral, a drama that he could never have foreseen.

About Susan Howatch

Susan Howatch was born in Surrey. After getting a degree in law, she emigrated to America, where she married, had a daughter, and embarked on a career as a writer. When she eventually left the United States, she lived in… More about Susan Howatch

About Susan Howatch

Susan Howatch was born in Surrey. After getting a degree in law, she emigrated to America, where she married, had a daughter, and embarked on a career as a writer. When she eventually left the United States, she lived in… More about Susan Howatch

About Susan Howatch

Susan Howatch was born in Surrey. After getting a degree in law, she emigrated to America, where she married, had a daughter, and embarked on a career as a writer. When she eventually left the United States, she lived in… More about Susan Howatch

“She may well be the Anthony Trollope of the 20th century.”—Andrew Greeley, The Washington Post

“Bold and exciting.”—Los Angeles Times

Author Essay

My mother turned me on to Susan Howatch’s books. When she told me they were religious, I was sceptical, but after much prodding I decided to give GLITTERING IMAGES a try. Now, I’m a complete Howatch fanatic! Her books are a scintilating blend of steamy passion, thought-provoking spirituality, and intricate, suspenseful plots. Oh, and there’s a healthy dose of English culture for those Anglophiles out there.

Jennifer RichardsBallantine Books Publicity

Glittering Images (and the entire Church of England series), by Susan Howatch might as well be the basis for one of those marvelous long-running PBS serials. Here is terrific plot, exquisitely written and realized dialogue, and enough costume and intrigue to fill at least 10 Mondays of a year. Read it and then "cast" it….you’ll love it!